Anti-Aging Red Light Therapy Benefits vs. Infrared Efficacy

As we age, the body’s ability to repair and regenerate begins to slow down, affecting everything from skin elasticity and joint mobility to cellular energy and mental sharpness. But what if something as simple as light could help reverse that process?

Beyond topical creams and aesthetic treatments, more and more people are using red or infrared light therapy to combat ageing. These light wavelengths interact directly with your cells, activating repair mechanisms, boosting performance, and restoring youthful function in your skin and throughout your entire body. But is one light better than the other?

Explore how infrared and red light therapy benefits for ageing compare and learn which is better for your specific anti-ageing goal with our team at Rojo Light Therapy NZ. 

How Red and Infrared Light Benefits Treat Signs of Ageing

Red and infrared therapy works in different wavelengths and depths, serving varying purposes in the fight against ageing. Here’s a breakdown.

Red light therapy benefits: Surface-level regeneration

Red light (630 - 680nm) penetrates up to two centimetres deep, mainly interacting with the outer layers of the skin. Some of the red light therapy benefits at this level include:

• Increased collagen and elastin production – Red light activates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen, which is key for plumpness and firmness. This helps smooth out fine lines and improves skin resilience.
• Improved skin tone and texture – Red light therapy helps improve blood flow and cellular energy, creating a brightening effect, reducing redness, and accelerating repair after sun or environmental damage.
• Anti-inflammatory action – Red light calms inflammatory responses in skin tissue, which slows the breakdown of collagen and supports a more even skin tone and complexion.

Aside from its more visible effects, red light therapy also benefits superficial muscles and can help with wound healing—both of which are critical for ageing gracefully and staying physically active.

Infrared light therapy: Deep repair and functional ageing

Infrared light (760nm–1mm) penetrates up to 5 cm below the skin, targeting muscle, connective tissue, joints, and even organ systems. Its benefits address many age-related issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye including:

• Enhanced mitochondrial activity – Infrared boosts adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in deeper tissues, leading to better muscle recovery, cellular repair, and resilience to stress and fatigue.
• Support for joint and musculoskeletal health – Infrared light improves circulation and reduces inflammation, helping ease chronic joint pain and improve mobility.
• Hormonal and neurological effects – Early research suggests infrared light may influence endocrine and neurological functions.

Is Red Light Better Than Infrared Light for Anti-Ageing?

Red light therapy offers quicker and more direct results for visible improvements such as smoothing wrinkles or improving skin tone. 

For deeper concerns like joint pain, muscle fatigue, or slower recovery after physical exertion, infrared light is more suited to reach the deeper layers of tissue and organs where it can trigger regeneration and inflammation reduction.

However, for those who truly want to maximise light therapy for anti-ageing, the best results come from combining both red and infrared light therapy. 

How Do Infrared and Red Light Therapy Benefits Work Together to Fight Ageing?

Used together, red and infrared light therapy activate complementary mechanisms in the body, creating a layered approach addressing the biological, structural, and functional effects of ageing. Here are the benefits you can expect:

1. Increased cellular energy

With age, mitochondrial function declines, leading to slower healing, fatigue, and diminished organ performance. But both red and infrared light help restore its former function, allowing faster tissue repair, better organ support, and improved cellular function across the board.

This mechanism is especially helpful in speeding muscle recovery and helping you retain lean muscle. This helps keep you active, strong, and physically independent even as your chronological age increases.

2. Increased collagen and elastic production for skin and tissue support

Red light encourages surface-level collagen regeneration, smoothing wrinkles and improving elasticity.

Meanwhile, infrared light penetrates deeper to promote collagen production in the dermis and connective tissue, helping firm sagging skin, improve joint flexibility, and enhance structural support throughout the body.

Combining both treatments can yield quick results. In an article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers found that treating human dermal cells with both red and infrared light therapy increased the production of key proteins such as elastin and collagen in as little as three days. 

3. Reduces chronic inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a key driver of age-related disease and physical decline. Both wavelengths help modulate inflammatory markers, with infrared light, especially, playing a crucial role in reducing deep, systemic inflammation. 

This supports everything from cardiovascular health to autoimmune balance.

4. Improves blood circulation and oxygen delivery

In a review of 28 studies regarding the use of red and infrared light therapy for diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), researchers confirmed that the treatments induced increased blood flow, especially in the dorsalis pedis artery.

By promoting better blood flow, red and infrared light therapy supports cellular repair, detoxification, muscle recovery, and brain function, helping prevent the decline often associated with poor circulation in ageing individuals.

5. Enhances cognitive function and neurological health

Infrared light may cross the blood-brain barrier and early studies have found that it can improve neuronal function, protect against neurodegeneration, and support memory and focus which is critical for ageing minds.

Combine Infrared and Red Light Therapy Benefits for Skin Rejuvenation

Ageing gracefully doesn’t mean accepting fatigue, discomfort, or a dull complexion as inevitable. With red and infrared light therapy, you can activate your body’s natural healing systems, improve your skin from the inside out, and restore your energy and vitality—at every stage of life.

At Rojo Light Therapy, our devices are designed to bring professional-grade dual-wavelength technology into your home, helping you combat the signs of ageing with minimal effort and maximum impact.

Explore our full Rojo range now or contact us for more inquiries.